Delaware soldier killed in Afghanistan

U.S. Army officials are reporting the death of Warrant Officer Sean Mullen, killed June 2 in Afghanistan.

Staff reports

The U.S. Army is reporting Warrant Officer Sean W. Mullen, 39, died June 2, 2013, in Ghur Ghuri, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device.

The press release from the Army's Special Operations Command indicated Mullen's hometown was Rehoboth Beach, although he is known to have attended Caesar Rodney High School in Camden.

Mullen was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky., as an assistant detachment commander for a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (ODA), or A-team. He was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. This was Mullen's sixth deployment in support of an overseas contingency operation.

Mullen enlisted in the Army in November 1995, as an infantryman. He volunteered for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in April 2007. He was assigned as a medical sergeant and then senior medical sergeant for the company and then was selected as the company's operations sergeant. He was deployed several times to Iraq and Saudi Arabia during this time.

Mullen was selected to attend the Warrant Officer Technical and Tactical Certification Course; graduating as a warrant officer in November 2012.

Gov. Jack Markell today ordered United States and Delaware flags in the state lowered to half-staff in Mullen's honor. A press release from the governor's office said flags will remain at half-staff until Friday.

"Warrant Officer Mullen epitomizes the patriotism, selflessness and courage displayed by Delawareans throughout history who have sacrificed to protect the freedoms that we so often take for granted," Markell said. "Our hearts break for his family and, on behalf of our state, we offer them our deepest gratitude and sympathy. While we grieve for this terrible loss, we also pledge to keep Warrant Officer Mullen's memory alive, allowing his heroism to continue to inspire us for generations to come."